Zenit-2 No. 74L

Re-entered 21 Mar 1970

Zenit-2 No. 74L (NORAD 4346, COSPAR 1970-018A) was a SU satellite that re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 21 Mar 1970, launched on 13 Mar 1970 on the Zenit-2 No. 74 mission. It was operated by GUKOSR as part of the Zenit-2 B programme. The spacecraft was built by TSKBE3 on the Zenit-2 bus, with a mass of 2,100 kg. Like most satellites in low orbits, it was gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until re-entry. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.

1970

launched

1970

re-entered

years on orbit

2,100

kg mass

Lifecycle

Launched13 Mar 1970 · on the Zenit-2 No. 74 mission

Operational21 Mar 1970 · entered service

Retired21 Mar 1970 · end of operational service

Re-entered21 Mar 1970 · atmospheric re-entry — object destroyed

Specifications

NORAD ID4346

COSPAR1970-018A

TypeSatellite

OperatorGUKOSR

Country / StateSU

ManufacturerTSKBE3

BusZenit-2

Mass2,100 kg

ProgrammeZenit-2 B

CategoryIMG

OrbitLEO (LLEO/I)

Altitude206 × 230 km

Inclination81.4°

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Zenit-2 No. 74L?

Zenit-2 No. 74L re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 21 Mar 1970, ending a mission that began with its launch in 1970. Objects in low orbits are gradually slowed by atmospheric drag until they fall back and burn up on re-entry.

When did Zenit-2 No. 74L re-enter the atmosphere?

Zenit-2 No. 74L re-entered on 21 Mar 1970, according to Orbital Radar's historical catalogue records.

Who operated and built Zenit-2 No. 74L?

Zenit-2 No. 74L was operated by GUKOSR and built by TSKBE3 (SU).

Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.

Browse the live satellite directory → Re-entered satellites archive → Launch record: Zenit-2 No. 74 → What is space debris? →